Hugo Viana has officially started work at Manchester City as of Monday as Txiki Begiristain's successor attempts to drive the dethroned champions into a new era.
Mail Sport revealed in October that Viana had accepted the job to take over from Begiristain - as director of football - who is departing after 13 trophy-laden years at the Etihad Stadium.
The Portuguese was initially thought to be beginning in earnest in the summer but has seemingly brought that date forward.
His former employers, Sporting, had wanted Viana to see out the season but ultimately allowed the 42-year-old to leave at the end of the January transfer window.